Costa Rica

Central America · rainforest · biodiversity · adventure

Two ocean coasts. Costa Rica has both Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea coastlines, making it extra special among Central American countries. This means you can surf, snorkel, or relax on completely different beaches just by traveling across the country.

Wildlife hotspot. Although Costa Rica is relatively small (about the size of West Virginia), it's home to an incredible variety of animals including sloths, jaguars, poison dart frogs, and over 900 bird species. Scientists say it contains about 5% of all the world's plant and animal species.

Capital city. San José is Costa Rica's largest city and capital, with about 2 million people living in and around it. The city sits in a valley surrounded by mountains and is the heart of Costa Rican culture and government.

Five million people. Costa Rica's population is about 5 million people living across an area of roughly 19,760 square miles. This makes it a fairly small but vibrant country in Central America.

Green and peaceful. Costa Rica is famous for protecting its forests and natural environment, and many visitors travel there to see rainforests, volcanoes, and amazing wildlife in their natural homes.